Japanese scientists create robotic skateboard

We're not first with this news, but it was too cool a find not to mention: Developed at the Tokyo-based Shibaura Institute of Technology, scientists have made a deck that automatically accelerates and turns as you shift your weight.

Like a Segway without the giant handrail, the "robo-skateboard" can truck along at speed of 6mph as you shift your weight towards the front of the board, and turns as you put pressure on the board’s side sensors. Information is sent to the skateboard’s computer unit, and makes the deck accelerate and turn.

Right now, the beastly device weighs in at 15kg, but the developers plan to reduce its weight before trying to mass produce it. It can carry riders weighing up to 80kg and runs for an hour on a single charge.

The developers believe that the technology will be slimmed down by 2013, and could be sold for $1,000 (~£655). It’s probably the closest thing we’ll get this decade to Back To The Future’s Hoverboards, but it’s a good first step.